Question: Israel is celebrating its 60th birthday. What does the country mean to you?

Israel has tremendous significance for me and for all the congregants here. I’m a Holocaust survivor, so Israel is especially precious to me. I was on the Exodus in 1947 and after the war many of my friends and family settled in Israel. I can honestly say thatif not for Israel I wouldn’t be here today.

– Nat Feldman, vice president, Temple Sholom

I’m from the generation that bridged the gap before and after there was an Israel, so Israel is indeed very special to me. I grew up saying “Next year in Jerusalem” and now I get teary eyed every time I think, “Wow! We actually have Jerusalem today.” I still can’t believe Israel is a tangible entity.

– Elanor Kahn, history teacher

Israel is my homeland. My grandsons study there today. I was in Israel when it celebrated its 50th anniversary. Having Israel means to world Jewry that we finally have a place of our own – a place we can always go to.

– Audry Durst, guide, Holocaust Memorial

Museum, Battery Park

Every time I go to Israel, I feel like I’ve just come home. You can always find someone who speaks Yiddish there. Israel’s position in the world and especially the Middle East is crucial for everyone, being that she is the only democratic country in the region. She depends on us and we depend on her.

– Marcia Simon, retired teacher

Ita Yankovich

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